A guide for installing Windows 7 onto your computer or laptop - Part 2

Below you'll find part 2 of a quick and easy guide to installing Windows 7 onto your computer or laptop.

A guide to installing Windows 7 – Part 2

It’s now time to install your old data, preferences and make drivers.

1. Install drivers for your hardware

Windows 7 will do a good job of downloading and installing the drivers your system needs automatically. In fact, in the majority of installations I have performed I have not needed to download any drivers to make the computer work. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t! Every system is different.

Anyway, even though Windows 7 will most likely find drivers for your hardware, it doesn’t mean that it’s the most up to date version. So, start by installing your motherboard’s drivers. Then, download up to date drivers for your Graphics Processing Unit or GPU (if you have a separate one). Use Windows 7 drivers whenever they’re available. If they’re not, you’ll probably find that Windows Vista drivers will be fine.

2. Configure the User Account Control (UAC) settings

UAC is a security program that controls 3rd party applications accessing the operating system. In Windows Vista it enjoyed asking you to make all the decisions. Frequently prompting you to make a decision on programs you had never even heard of!

The UAC application in Windows 7 is much less intrusive and far better designed. You won’t see so many pop ups now and I suggest you leave it on the default setting that only alerts you when a program attempts to install software or alter your settings.

However, if you’re surfing the dark areas of the internet and need a higher level of security, you can open the UAC manager (Control Panel > Security) and raise the UAC to the maximum level. You’ll get a lot more alerts, but then where you’re going you’ll probably need them!

3. Restore your old data

If you took my advice and bought a new networked hard drive, you just need to connect to your home network to find your old data.

Don’t copy whole folders however. Search for individual files and copy them to new folders on your local hard drive. Locate the AppData folder. This is usually hidden. However, it contains useful files that will enable your software to run correctly and your Outlook data.

4. Be ruthless

Installing a new Operating System always give s you a great opportunity to cleanse your data and delete the junk that we all inevitably collect on our computers over time. Back everything you’re not sure about onto the network hard drive. And be ruthless with everything else!

Enjoy Windows 7. It’s a great Operating System.

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